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"Never under any condition should this nation look at an immigrant as primarily a labor unit. He should always be looked at primarily as a future citizen."-Theodore Roosevelt, 1917

"It is not possible to be in favor of justice for some people and not be in favor of justice for all people."-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Isaona i tumungo’ ya ha sedi, ki ayo i mismo umisagui hao. Greater is the fault of he who allows the injustice upon himself. "-Chamorro proverb

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Tropical storm Ketsana dumped 16.7 inches of rain on Manila and Luzon in less than 12 hours causing flood waters up to rise over 20 feet in some places. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced an estimated 95 have lost their lives and many others remain missing in the storm.

A state of emergency was declared in Manila and in 25 provinces as streets and homes flooded. From AP:

Governor Joselito Mendoza of Bulacan province, north of the capital, said it was tragic that "people drowned in their own houses" as the storm raged.

"We're back to zero," said Ronald Manlangit, a resident of Marikina city, a suburb of the capital, Manila. Floodwaters engulfed the ground floor of his home and drowned his TV set and other prized belongings. Still, he expressed relief that he managed to move his children to the second floor.

"Suddenly, all of our belongings were floating," the 30-year-old said. "If the water rose farther, all of us in the neighborhood would have been killed."

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo toured the devastated areas and prodded villagers to move on. She said the storm and the flooding were "an extreme event" that "strained our response capabilities to the limit but ultimately did not break us."

TV footage shot from a military helicopter showed drenched survivors still marooned on top of half-submerged passenger buses and rooftops in suburban Manila Sunday. Some dangerously clung to high-voltage power lines while others plodded through waist-high waters.

More than 330,000 people were affected by storm, including some 59,000 people who were brought to about 100 schools, churches and other evacuation shelters, officials said. Troops, police and volunteers have so far been able to rescue more than 5,100 people, Teodoro said.

“The floods were not knee-deep, or waist-deep, but roof- deep,” weather bureau Director Nathaniel Cruz said in a phone interview. “This is related to climate change and could be a manifestation of things to come.” The floods were more severe because the ground was already saturated by earlier rain, he added.

The flood was said to be the worst to hit Manila in over forty years. The United States and China have are sending cash for relief efforts.

7
comments:

Anonymous
said...

As per the recommendations, make only your donations to the Red Cross.The Social Services in the Phil has set up donation points at a certain banks location through out the Phil. The donated things are not going to the needy, as is usual the case.(personally witness this) Much is being "picked through" by the employees and taken home. same is happening with many new "agency" donations that sprung up over night. The cash cash and "pledged" donations are going into individuals pockets. At least maybe 1/3 to 1/2 from the Red Cross will get to the victims.

I saw that the Huffington Post site has links but I think they may be the same International Red Cross link. Interestingly, they also suggest donating to the Filipino Community of Guam as suggested by the Pacific Daily News, but they give no address.

Friends in the US who wish to help in the rescue/relief operations,you may donate through the American Red Cross. Call 1-800-435-7669. Donate thru to The Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. Send RED (space) (amount) to 2899 (Globe) & 4483 (SMART). Philippines only. Contact your local Red Cross Chapters on how to Donate.

For more information, visit the Philippine Red Cross website or click on this link http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/wtd.aspx